From the cradle to the grave: age differences in attachment from early adulthood to old age

Journal of Personality
William J ChopikR Chris Fraley

Abstract

Although attachment dynamics are thought to be important across the life span, relatively few studies have examined attachment processes beyond young adulthood. Extant research on age differences in attachment orientation has yielded conflicting results and interpretations. The purpose of this study was to provide a more complete picture of age-related differences in attachment anxiety and avoidance. We examined attachment anxiety and avoidance in 86,555 Internet respondents (71.8% female) ranging in age from 18 to 70. We found that attachment anxiety was highest among younger adults and lowest among middle-aged and older adults. Attachment avoidance showed less dramatic age differences overall but was highest among middle-aged adults and lowest among younger and older adults. In addition, partnered individuals reported lower levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance compared to single individuals, particularly in younger and older adulthood. Women also reported slightly higher anxiety and avoidance compared to men, especially in young adulthood. Findings are discussed in the context of life span changes in social roles, normative personality development, and emotion regulation throughout adulthood.

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Citations

Aug 3, 2013·Tijdschrift voor gerontologie en geriatrie·L Van AsscheM Vandenbulcke
Oct 6, 2015·Annual Review of Psychology·Mara Mather
Feb 3, 2015·Psychology and Psychotherapy·Teresa C MartinsHelena Moreira
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Apr 27, 2016·Social Psychological and Personality Science·William J ChopikJacqui Smith
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Jun 25, 2017·Journal of Personality·William J Chopik, Shinobu Kitayama
Feb 17, 2018·Developmental Psychobiology·Kyle W MurdockChristopher P Fagundes
Feb 17, 2018·Frontiers in Psychology·William J ChopikHannah L Giasson
Jan 4, 2019·Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science·Ian FrazierNatalie C Ebner
Mar 25, 2017·Pain Medicine : the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine·Lynn R GauthierLucia Gagliese
May 21, 2019·The Journal of Positive Psychology·William J ChopikAaron J Jarden
May 10, 2019·Frontiers in Psychology·Zdzisław KroplewskiAnita Gójska
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Jul 13, 2021·Personality and Social Psychology Review : an Official Journal of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc·Samantha Joel, Geoff MacDonald

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